Nelson Company Blog
  • Home
  • Plastic Pallets
  • FDA
  • Wood Pallets
  • Crates & Containers
  • Sustainability
  • ISPM-15
  • Tech Center
  • News

Lumber Prices are Up. Saving on Pallets and Crates is Still Possible.

3/8/2018

0 Comments

 
Here we go again. If you thought 2013 was a bad year for industrial lumber availability, 2018 may make five years ago look downright mild.
2018 Lumber Prices Increasing
Industrial lumber prices continue to be on the rise (image source: Random Lengths Publications Inc)
Lumber Prices are Going Up

Crisis breeds opportunity, or so they say. Here are increases we've already seen in raw materials:
​  
  • Softwood Composite
    Prices are up about 34% in the last 12 months

  • Hardwood Pallet Cant Composite
    Prices are up 11% in the last 5 months

Right now, lead times for industrial lumber are extended and supplies are tight. This means wooden pallet and crate prices have to go up.
  


How to Save on Pallet and Crate Costs 

I'm being asked all the time if anything can be done to combat these price increases. The answer is, yes! Retrieval programs for pallets and crates can save your company 10-50%.
  
  • Take Back Control of Costs
    A pallet and crate retrieval program transfers the cost control lever back to manufacturers and shippers. Start by looking at all operating costs with a focus on cost-per-use.
      
  • Reuse Existing Packaging
    You might be surprised to learn that return programs do not have to be all inclusive to save money for the shipper. Existing packaging is almost always reusable in its current state.

  • Reduce Packaging Waste
    It gets better. You'll help stop wood-based packaging from going into the landfill. Your company gets to reduce its carbon footprint while also saving money.
  

Change your Packaging from Expense to Depreciable Asset

Need even more reason to consider a packaging return program? The US economy is growing and so is demand for lumber. Logging and sawmill capacity has not yet caught up - and may not. Inflation is real and will grow as the economy grows. If there has ever been a time to get with a program and take control of packaging costs, this is it.

If a packaging return program isn't your best match, here are 3 other money-saving solutions to help with the rising cost of wooden pallets and crates.

As the cost of lumber continues to rise, how are you preparing your business for increased packaging costs? Share your strategies or ask questions in the comments below.

Post by: Rich Reiher, Vice President
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Call Us: (410) 477-3000
    Nelson Company logo
    Headquartered in Baltimore since 1918 Nelson Company is a trusted source for pallets & packaging materials.
    NelsonCompany.com
    Nelson Technical Center
    Is your packaging system costing more than it should? Find out how you can start saving with an analysis from Nelson Technical Center.
    Nelson-Art Asset Retrieval Technology
    Our own web-based software for reverse distribution. Nelson-ART™ manages the entire life-cycle of your packaging assets.

     
    ​Categories

    All
    Crates And Containers
    FDA
    Industrial Packaging
    ISPM-15
    Pallet Mold
    Plastic Pallets
    Shipping And Freight
    Sustainable Packaging
    Technical Center
    Total Packaging Management
    Transport Packaging Industry News And Events
    Wood Pallets

      
    ​Our Authors

    David Caltrider
    Rich Reiher
    Mike Cunneen
    John Clarke
    Hartson Poland
    Jonathan Haynes
    Paul Pascarella
    Kaitlin Manning
    Chris Recker
    Aaron Pascarella
    ​
    Tyler Pease

     
    ​Archives

    March 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    August 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    RSS Feed

Tech Center

The Nelson Technical Center finds savings. Solutions for the design, supply and recovery of transport packaging.
(443) 649-1049

Wood Sales

Custom wooden pallets and crates are our specialty. Ask us about wood manufacturing, repair and recycling.
(410) 477-3000

Plastic Sales

Let our experts match you with the best plastic pallets or containers. Available in new and gently used condition.
(443) 649-5294
The Nelson Company Logo
The Nelson Company
4517 North Point Blvd
Baltimore, MD 21219
(410) 477-3000
© COPYRIGHT 2013-2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • Plastic Pallets
  • FDA
  • Wood Pallets
  • Crates & Containers
  • Sustainability
  • ISPM-15
  • Tech Center
  • News